Gramp said SWEAT is directed toward high schoo youth and empowers them to lose weight while gaining strength.

Bridgeton Police Department Lieutenants James Filippello and Jere Branch were also in attendance.

They estimated between 13 and 15 teens are in attendance for each of the three sessions per week.

“They get themselves here,” said Branch. “That shows commitment.”

Part of the SWEAT program, which runs from January through April 1, is tracking dietary intake.

Harris spoke on this subject before the youth hit the gym. As part of her presentation, she briefly lectured on illnesses caused by certain foods, actual serving sizes and portion control among other topics.

Facts ranged from the basic - grease from cooked meat ends up in your arteries, to the enlightening - constipation caused by too much dairy can be cured by eating foods that require much chewing.

The teens were by no means in the dark on their nutritional know-how.

They asked Harris about Silk, a non-dairy milk product, the safety of artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and if ranch dressing could be enjoyed in moderation.

Bridgeton High School freshmen Shakia Singleton and Eduardo Lopez both got a ride to Flex for Wednesday’s lesson and workout.

Singleton said she had known Gramp before he informed her about PAL activities. She started attending SWEAT meetings because of her desire to lose weight.

She’s passed the midpoint of her weight loss goal so far, 11 pounds out of 20.

“If you don’t eat healthy, at least minimize the bad stuff,” said Lopez.

The kids then headed upstairs for spin class, which is done on stationary exercise bicycles. Flex had a room full of Schwinn exercise bikes, which the kids hopped on and pedaled in different stances and speeds.

Singleton said the group usually does aerobic workouts on Mondays and boxing on Fridays at their sessions from 3 to 5 p.m.

Harris later explained eating a wide variety of foods is important.

“We tend to eat the same things over and over or skip meals,’’ she said, “Then, when we do eat, we eat the wrong foods.”